Nexium (Esomeprazole) 40mg Gastro-Resistant 84 Tablets

Always read the leaflet before taking Nexium and follow your doctors instructions. These tablets can be taken at any time of the day either with food or on an empty stomach. They should be swallowed whole with a drink of water and not chewed or crushed.  If you are taking this medicine for more than a year, your doctor will monitor you.

If you forget to take a dose at the prescribed time, take it as soon as you remember it.  However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and do not take two doses of Nexium together.

If you take more tablets than prescribed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist straight away.

The active ingredient is 40mg of esomeprazole - as magnesium trihydrate.  They also contain glycerol monostearate 40-55, hyprolose, hypromellose, iron oxide (reddish-brown, yellow), magnesium stearate, methacrylic acid ethyl acrylate copolymer (1:1) dispersion 30 per cent, microcystalline cellulose, synthetic paraffin, macrogol, polysorbate 80, crospovidone, sodium stearyl fumarate, sugar spheres (sucrose and maize starch), talc, titanium dioxide (E171), triethyl citrate.

Nexium should not be taken if you are allergic topump inhibitor medicines, esomeprazole or any other ingredients within these tablets.  Do not take Nexium if you are taking medicine containing nelfinavir, have severe liver or kidney problems and if you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist first.  Nexium could hide the symptoms of other diseases so check with your doctor if you experience any of the following: lose a lot of weight for no reason and have problems swallowing, stomach pain or indigestion, vomiting food or blood, passing black stools.  Taking medication like Nexium for a period of more than one year may increase your risk of facture in the hip, wrist or spine.  If you have osteoporosis or are taking corticosteroids or taking any other medicines including those without a prescription, tell your doctor.
Nexium may have some side effects which not everyone will experience, but if you notice any of these, you must contact your doctor straight away.  Sudden wheezing, swelling of lips, tongue, throat or body, difficulty swallowing (severe allergic reaction) rash, fainting.  Reddening of the skin with peeling or blisters, severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose and genitals which could be ‘Stevens-Johnson syndrome’ or ‘toxic epidermal necrolysis’.  Yellow skin, tiredness and dark urine which can be symptoms of liver problems.
Other possible side effects could be headache, diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, nausea or vomiting, wind (flatulance).  Swelling of the feet and ankles, disturbed sleep, dizziness, tingling feels such as ‘pins and needles’, feeling sleepy, spinning feeling, dry mouth.  Changes in blood tests that check how the liver is working, skin rash, lumpy rash or itchy skin, fracture of the hip, wrist or spine - if Nexium is used for a long period and in high doses. 
Rarely experienced side effects such as reduced number of white cells or platelets in the blood which cause weakness, bruising or make infections likely, may be seen. 

Low levels of sodium in the blood may cause weakness, vomiting and cramps, the feeling of agitation, confusion or depression, taste changes, blurred vision, sudden feelings of wheezy breathing or shortness of breath, inflammation of the inside of the mouth, thrush, liver problems including jaundice which could cause yellow skin, dark urine and tiredness.  Hair loss, skin rash on exposure to sunshine, joint pains or muscle pains, lacking energy and generally feeling unwell, increased sweating. 
Possible but very rare side effects of taking Nexium could be lack of white blood cells, aggression, seeing, feeling or hearing things that are not there, severe liver problems leading to liver failure and inflammation of the brain.  Sudden onset of a severe rash or blistering or peeling skin which may be associated with a high fever and joint pains, muscle weakness, severe kidney problems or enlarged breasts in men.
It is possible that the magnesium levels in the blood may fall if you are taking Nexium 40mg for more than three months.  This can be seen as fatigue, involuntary muscle contractions, disorientation, convulsions, dizziness or increased heart rate.  Low magnesium levels can lead to reduced potassium or calcium levels and your doctor may perform regular blood tests to monitor your levels.  Inflammation in the gut which leads to diarrhoea.  In very rare cases Nexium may affect the white blood cells leading to immune deficiency which may show with symptoms such as fever with severely reduced general condition or with symptoms of local infection such as pain in the neck, throat or mouth or difficulties in urinating, you must consult your doctor as soon as possible.  It is important to give information about your medication to the doctor.